Shadowing Practice: 3 grammar rules that you don’t need to follow anymore - Arika Okrent - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

C1
Shadowing Controls
0% completed (0/34 sentences)
In 1954, Winston Cigarettes launched an ad so controversial broadcasters refused to say it on the air.
⏸ Paused
All Sentences
34 sentences
1
In 1954, Winston Cigarettes launched an ad so controversial broadcasters refused to say it on the air.
2
But the uproar had nothing to do with the dangerous product being advertised— people were appalled by the ad’s grammar.
3
Specifically, using “like” as a conjunction instead of “as.” Grammatical incidents like this have caused outrage in various regions and languages for centuries.
4
But while we know people take grammar seriously, what’s less clear is, why?
5
Where do these seemingly random rules come from?
6
And which, if any, actually matter?
7
The answers to these questions vary from rule to rule, so let’s look at three particularly famous English examples.
8
First up, the idea that you should never end a sentence with a preposition.
9
Prepositions are small, common words like with, on, for, or to, that often come before nouns.
10
So, for example, a grammar stickler would consider “where does this rule come from?” incorrect, preferring instead, “from where does this rule come?” This rule comes from 18th century England, when etiquette was all the rage.
11
And amidst countless guides on how to act properly, grammarians flooded the market with books on how to speak properly.
12
Many of the rules in these guides were taken from Latin— a language that was commonly used for written scholarship.
13
But no one had spoken Latin conversationally in 1,000 years, and imposing its rules on speech was awkward to say the least.
14
The rule to never strand a preposition without a noun was one such revived relic.
15
And while the scholars who proposed it presented the idea as a stylistic choice, subsequent writers turned their suggestion into a hard rule.
16
Other rules have origins that are perhaps less arbitrary, but significantly more petty.
17
Consider the idea that you should use “fewer” when referring to countable nouns— like water bottles— and “less” when referring to nouns we don’t count— like water.
18
This rule comes from another 18th century grammarian called Robert Baker, who, for reasons unknown, believed “less” was inelegant when used with countable nouns.
19
This might seem strange, but people today wage similar wars on so-called lesser language, such as “like” or “literally.” Besides, Baker's preference was part of a larger craze for codifying English.
20
For centuries after the Norman Conquest in 1066, French was the language of nobility in England, while English was seen as the language of commoners.
21
While the English had long reclaimed their kingdom by Baker’s time, this insecurity lingered in the hearts of many English grammarians.
22
In fact, Baker also wanted King George to establish an Academy of Letters with 50 officials to protect the English language.
23
That’s ten more officials than were employed in France’s grammar guard— L’Académie Française.
24
Many English grammar rules have similarly silly origins, such as efforts to distinguish “over” from “more than,” or our attachment to Latin plurals like fungi and formulae.
25
The stakes of all these grammatical debates are mostly academic.
26
But one frequently discussed rule does have some real-world consequences.
27
For centuries, “they” has been used in classic literature and everyday speech as both a plural and a singular pronoun.
28
And today, many non-binary and transgender individuals prefer to use “they/them” as singular pronouns to refer to themselves.
29
19th century grammarians, however, believed that “they” should be an exclusively plural pronoun.
30
Furthermore, in cases where “they” could be used as a singular pronoun, they argued the word should be swapped for the generic “he.” This was an obviously patriarchal decision, and during the 1970s, activists eventually convinced some usage guides to begin using “he or she.” But today, this quibble continues to cause confusion, even though most official grammar guides have accepted “they” as both a singular and plural pronoun.
31
This isn’t the first time we’ve had this kind of pronoun predicament.
32
For centuries, “you” was also considered an exclusively plural pronoun, and yet today it's completely accepted in singular situations.
33
And that’s because grammar isn’t a hard science— it’s something we all build together to reflect the people using it.
34
So however strange a rule's origins may be, the usage we choose to respect today is far from arbitrary.
📱

Shadowing English

Now available on mobile devices, download now!

5.0
Download on theApp Store
GET IT ONGoogle Play

Context & Background

In the engaging video titled "3 Grammar Rules That You Don’t Need to Follow Anymore," linguist Arika Okrent explores the origins and evolution of certain English grammar rules that many believe are set in stone. Okrent emphasizes that language is a living entity shaped by its users, urging learners to look at how historical perspectives on grammar continue to influence current usage. This progressive approach encourages English learners to feel more confident in their speech and provides insight into how to communicate effectively without being restrained by outdated conventions.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • “Where does this rule come from?” — A great example of a common sentence structure illustrating the use of prepositions.
  • “Fewer bottles” vs. “Less water” — A practical application of countable and uncountable nouns.
  • “They prefer to identify with ‘they/them.’” — Supporting inclusive language is crucial for respectful communication.
  • “More than just a rule” — A phrase that highlights the need for evolving our understanding of grammar.
  • “English is a language of the people.” — A reminder that language belongs to its speakers, encouraging personal expression.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

To effectively utilize shadowing techniques while watching this video, follow these steps that aim to improve your English pronunciation and fluency:

  1. Listen Actively: Watch the video without interruption and familiarize yourself with the speaker's tone and rhythm.
  2. Replay Sections: Play back short sections, paying close attention to the phrases highlighted. Use a shadowing app to help you track your progress.
  3. Imitate: Repeat what you hear, mimicking the accent and intonation. This practice can significantly enhance your ability to articulate complex structures, making you feel more confident during your IELTS speaking practice.
  4. Record Yourself: Use your mobile device to record your shadow speech. Compare your pronunciation with that of the speaker to identify areas for improvement.
  5. Seek Feedback: If possible, share your recordings with a teacher or language partner who can provide constructive criticism. Engaging with others strengthens your grasp of grammatical nuances.

By following these steps, you'll not only enhance your ability to speak fluently but also deepen your understanding of how grammar works within the evolving English language landscape. Embracing this flexibility can lead to more effective communication and a better overall learning experience.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

☕ Buy us a coffee